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Scams operate worldwide to convince people to spend
money on illegal or fake lotteries and sweepstakes.
These scams claim you have a good chance to win or that
you've already won a prize, but ask you to pay money or provide personal
information, like a credit card number or bank account number, to claim
the prize.
Some scams illegally use real game names and logos of
legitimate lotteries.
Scammers may even approach you in person, claiming to
have a winning ticket, but tell you they can't claim the prize. Theses
criminals will ask you to purchase their ticket or provide a "deposit"
to claim the prize for them. But, they'll disappear with your money.
Tips to protect yourself
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Never cash or claim a lottery ticket for someone you
don't know.
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Never pay money to collect a lottery prize.
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Never give your credit card numbers, bank account
numbers, or other personal information to anyone trying to sell you a
lottery ticket, membership in a lottery pool, or promising a prize.
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Never accept a collect phone call from someone
claiming to be a lottery official.
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Beware of letters, email or phone calls claiming that
you've won a prize in a foreign lottery but must first pay taxes to
collect the prize. Most of these are scams. Playing legitimate foreign
lotteries by mail, phone, email or on the internet is illegal.
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Beware of letters, email, or phone calls offering you
a guaranteed prize. The South Dakota Lottery does not guarantee you a
prize, only a chance of winning one.
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Beware of "urgent" solicitations that require a quick
response.
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Buy lottery tickets only from authorized South Dakota
Lottery retailers.
The South Dakota Lottery does not:
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Require a winner to pay money upfront to claim a
prize.
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Require personal information such as social security
numbers or bank account numbers from winners over the phone. A prize
of $101 or more must be claimed at a South Dakota Lottery office using
an official claim form.
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Require short response time to cash or claim a winning
ticket. Winning lotto tickets can be claimed up to
180 days following
the drawing. Winning scratch tickets can be claimed up to 180 days
following the game's end.
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Enter someone into a drawing, promotion for an added
bonus or prize, or for any other reason without their knowledge.
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Require you to be a United States citizen to claim a
South Dakota Lottery prize.
Legitimate lotteries require you to purchase a ticket for a chance
to win a prize.
Before you give any information over the phone or by email,
call the South Dakota Lottery office in Pierre at 605-773-5770.
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